Aligner for billing machines



April 16, 1935. c. R. MABON 1,997,737,

ALIGNER FOR BILLING MACHINES Original Filed April 24, 1931 4 SheetsSheetl IN V EN TOR.

5 6421. ,Q- MABON, 57 BYM, MLMW A TTORNEYS.

April 16, 1935. c. R. MABON 1,997,737

I ALIGNER FOR BILLING MACHINES Original Filed April 24, 19.51 4Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. CARL )2. MABON,

BYM/ flu/m 6 ATTORNEYS.

. 4 Sheets-s 3 INVENTOR.

CARL BON, BY M, MC! Mm' April 16,1935. 'c. R .-MAB ON ALIGNER FORBILLiNG MACHINES 'o'r i ihal Filed April 24, 1951 5* @w ow W .n." mm, mmmm Q mm u. mm E A TTORNEy April 16, 1935. c. R. MABON 1,997,737

ALIGNER FOR BILLING MACHINES Original Filed April 24, 1951 4Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR. C421. P. MA BON,

M, J MM dam ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 16, 1935 ALIGNER FOR BILLING MACHINES Carl Robert Mabon,Niagara Falls, N. Y., assignor to Gilman Fanfold Corporation, NiagaraFalls, N. Y., a corporation of Canada Limited, Ontario,

' Application April 24, 1931, Serial No. 532,502

' Renewed August 28, 1934 29 Claims.

ported in writing position upon a writing platen,

and aligning mechanism is provided including whereupon the inscriptionsmay be entered as,

for example, by means of a typewriting machine. With reference toparticular features, the invention relates to improvements in means forpositioning, smoothing and aligning the record strips upon the writingplaten. 1

It is a general object of the invention to provide in machines of theclass mentioned, an improved record strip positioning and controllingmechanism, simple in structure and convenient in operation and welladapted for controlling the record strips and maintaining them in smoothcorrectly aligned position upon the writing platen, whereby clear andfull inscriptions upon all of the superposed record strips are assured.

A further object of the invention is to provide for machines of theclass mentioned, an improved record strip controlling and positioningmechanism which is adapted to grip or clamp the record strips at pointsthereof spaced from the forward ends, so as to tension them and holdthemin aligned position. I

According to another feature of the invention, animproved record stripaligninig and controlling mechanism is provided, embodying a forwardstrip restraining device which may include strip penetrative pins, and arearward strip restraining device wherein the use of strip penetrativepins orsimilar penetrative devices are entirely avoided.

Still another object of the invention is to provide for machines of theclass mentioned, an improved record. strip controlling mechanism whereina controlling device or control carriage frictional strip engagingdevices mounted for longitudinal reciprocation, being movable forwardlyas a unit with the record strips and movable rearwardly relatively tosaid strips so as to align and smooth the latter. These frictional stripaligners are arranged to exert individual aligning action upon therecord strips,'aligning them against the forward strip engaging pins, orsimilar forward strip holding means.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangementwhereby the strip gripping or clamping means is maintained releasedduring rearward movement of the controlling mechanism and isautomatically reengaged at the termination of said movement.

Other objects of the invention will be, in part, pointed out in thefollowing detailed description of the illustrative embodiments of theinvention, and will be, in part, obvious in connection therewith. r

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope ofthe application which will be indicated in the claims.

For a more, complete understanding of the nature and objects of theinvention, reference is had to'the following detailed disclosure, and tothe accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective elevation ofawriting machine of the flat platen type equipped with the invention;

Fig. 2 is an'enlarged detail plan of the improved record stripcontrolling mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section substantially on the line 3--3of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section similar to that ofFig. 3, the strip gripping or clamping means being in released position;

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a transverse, vertical section substantially on the line 66 ofFig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a detail fragmentary vertical, longitudinal section showing adetailof the forward strip clamping bar and strip engaging pin. I

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the forward strip holding mechanismtogether with operating connection therefor.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the record stripfrictional controlling members or separators, and v Fig. 10 is a viewsimilar to Fig.9 but showing a slight modification.

For illustrative purposes, the invention is shown as being applied to awriting machine of strips usually employed therein. Machines of thistype are well adapted for heavy billing work, especially where largenumbers of relatively superposed record strips or work sheets areemployed. As applied to such machines, the record strip controllingmechanism of the invention greatly facilitates the positioning andcontrolling of the strips in correct writing position upon the platen.The improved controlling mechanism is well adapted for application tobilling machines already in use, to which it may be readily applied withlittle effort and with slight modifications or alterations of themachine construction.

Referring to the drawings for a detailed description of the illustrativeembodiment, a base or supporting framework i5 is surmounted by ahorizontal supporting frame indicated gen-' erally at 16. The supportingframe has two longitudinal side frame members I! providing supportingrails l8 forming a track upon which a. typewriting machine of anypreferred construction (not shown) may be mounted for forward andrearward movements in line spacing direction over the fiat platen [9.Suitable transverse frame members are provided extending between thelongitudinal side frame members l1. Thus the type bars of thetypewriting machine will be permitted to strike upon the upper surfaceof the top record strip S, it being understood that as many of theserecord strips as desired may be arranged in relatively superposedrelation with each other, preferably being of the continuous travelertype having longitudinal series of blank forms thereon. Preferably eachlongitudinal blank form of the record strips is provided withcontrolling apertures S for engagement with the forward pins of themachine and for filing purposes. The record strips S are preferably fedfrom a record supply pack S which is conveniently of the zigzag foldedtype in which a plurality of the superposed record strips are folded inzigzag formation. 'Adjacent forms on each record strip may be separatedby weakened transverse lines S Suitable transfer sheets such as thecarbon sheets C may be mounted in any preferred manner upon the machine.As shown in Fig. 1, the carbon sheets are extended from a supply rollpositioned at the side of the main frame. As many carbon sheets asrequired may be supplied in this manner, the extended end portionsthereof lying transversely of the platen I! in interleaved relation withthe record strips S.

Forward record strip restraining mechanism 2| is provided forcontrolling the forward ends of the record strip. While this mechanismmay be of any preferred construction, it is advantageous for someclasses of work to provide strip aperture engaging pins 22, mounted upona support 23 and spaced apart thereon the same as the spacing of thestrip apertures S. These strip controlling and aligning pins are hereinshown as provided with forwardly disposed overhanging lips 24, thusproviding hooked-formations to effect a more positive engagement withthe apertures of the record strip. A clamping bar 25 extendingtransversely of the strip path is mounted for up and down movement abovethe pin supporting bar 23. The clamping bar 25 thus cooperates with thepins 22 to restrain the forwardly fed ends of the record strips, whilethe forward edge of the bar may serve as a tearing edge for the strips.

Swingable supporting arms 26 are provided for the clamping bar 25 beingpivoted at 21 to the frame of the machine as shown irf Fig. 8. Thesesupporting arms may form a part of the standard construction of thebilling machine and the clamping bar 25 is attached thereto. Operatingmovement may be transmitted to swing the arms 26 together with theclamping bar, by means of the operating pedal 28 through a link 29. Atension spring 30 may be provided for returning the pedal and operatingconnections to normal strip clamping position following depression ofthe pedal.

Positioned to the rearward of the strip controlling device 2! is asecond strip controlling mechanism indicated generally at 3i. Thisincludes a supporting frame 32 constructed of appropriate material suchas, for example, cast metal, being supported in operative position uponside rails 33 which may be secured to the inner sides of the side framemembers IT. The frame 32, as shown, is provided with supporting lugs 34adapted to engage the rails 33, and a clamp 35 is provided adjacent eachsupporting lug 34 whereby the frame may be firmly secured in anylongitudinally adjusted position along the side rails. Each clamping bar35 may be mounted for longitudinal adjustment in a slot 36 in thesupporting frame in which it is secured by a bolt 31. Tightening of thissecuring bolt will rock the clamping bar 35 about a fulcrum positionedintermediate its ends so as to clamp the supporting rail 33.

Carried by the supporting frame 32 is a record strip gripper or clamp 38mounted for longitudinal reciprocation substantially in the path of therecord strips S. A convenient means for supporting this strip clamp isprovided by the carriage 39 mounted for backward and forward movementsupon longitudinal supporting rails 40 carried by the frame 32. For thispurpose supporting wheels 4| are mounted upon the carriage engaging withthe treads of the supporting rails. Guiding and retaining members 42 and43 are provided for retaining the carriage in its correct operativeposition, engaging with the rails 40 for this purpose. The retainingmember 43 is provided with a retaining flange 44 engaging the undersideof the flange 45 of the rail 40.

Means is provided for yieldingly urging the controlling carriage 39toward its rearward terminal. In the embodiment shown, this meansincludes a motor spring 46 attached at one end to .the carriage, passingover a guide pulley 41 and connected at its opposite end to anadjustable or adjusting anchor 43. This spiral spring is under tensionand of considerable length so as to provide for a wide amplitude ofmovement of the controlling carriage. This spring, therefore, constantlyurges the carriage toward its rearward position in any longitudinalposition thereof along the supporting rails 40.

The controlling carriage 39 has a top plate 45 positioned substantiallyin the path of the record strips S and having a'longitudinal slot 50 forthe reception of the strip gripping and clamping jaw 5|. The clampingjaw is preferably pivotally mounted on the carriage as indicated at 52,and

' is provided with a resilient friction strip gripping shoe 53 which maybe made of any suitable yielding friction material such for example asresilient rubber.

' Positioned above the clampi jaw 5| is a clamping bar or jaw 54 pivotedas at 55 and cooperating with the lower jaw 5| to provide the stripclamp. At its free end the clamping bar 53 is arranged to cooperate withthe releasable holding device 56. The clamping bar may thus be releasedand swung upwardly to permit placing of the strips in the clamp, andwhen swung downwardly in clamping position, it is firmly held inposition by the securing device or latch 56.

with a forward extension 58 of the clamping jaw.

i. While two such springs are shown, it will be obvious that more orless than this number may be provided. Each spring 51 is supported by apost 59- anchored to the carriage top plate 49 and extending downwardlytherefrom through a slot in the extension 58. Thus, the clamping jaw 5|is constantly urged into strip clamping position against the stripclamping bar 54. When the gripping jaw 5| is moved downwardly on itspivot, it may be held in strip releasing condition by means of a pivotedlatch bar 50 having a lug 6|, engageable with a stationary lug 62mounted upon the carriage. The latch bar 60 is constantly yieldinglyurged into latching position by means of a compression spring 63stressed between the latch bar and a support 64.

Mounted upon thev underside of the clamping .jaw 5| is a bracket 65carrying a longitudinally reciprocable gripper operating bolt 65 urgedinto a projected position by a compression spring 61. This bolt ispositioned for cooperation with an elongated clamp operating bar 68,having its longitudinal dimension extending along and substantiallyparallel to the path of movement of the controlling carriage 39. Thefree or swinging edge of the gripper operating'bar 68 is thus positionedat all times for cooperation with the retractable gripper operatingbolt-66, the cooperating parts of both of these members having inclinedengaging surfaces for a purpose described below. The operating bar 58 ismounted for rotation in suitable bearings and is provided with anoperating crank arm 69 to which an operating link 19 is connected. Atits opposite end the link ll! may be connected to the operating pedal 28for manual this purpose,

operation. A spring H is connected to the crank 69 being stressed tohold the operating bar 68 in its normal operating position in which itis shown in Fig. 6. v

In order to terminate the rearward movement of the control carriage 39 asuitable stop mechanism is provided. As shown, there are two such stopmechanisms indicated generally at 12, each including a pliable oryielding strap 13 extending transversely of the carriage path andanchored at opposite ends thereof by suitable clamping lugs 14. Thesestop strips may be of any suitable pliable material, preferably having aslight yielding tendency, leather being satisfactory for Cooperatingwith these stop straps are stop lugs i5 mounted upon the underside ofthe top plate 49 of the controlling carriage. As the carriage movesrearwardly under the influence of the motor spring 46, these lugs 15engage withthe stop straps "I3 thus limiting rearward carriage movementand providing "a yielding buffer for dissipating the momentum of thecarriage.

Record stm'p aligning and positioning means indicated generally at 16 isalso preferably utilized, being attached to the controlling carriage 39so as-to move forwardly and rear'wardly with the latter, as bestshown inFigs. 2 and 9. A guiding plate" is positioned upon the carriage justforwardly of the strip gripper being attached to the carriage as byupstanding posts or bolts 18. Transverse bars or blades 19, preferablyof thin metal or similar material so as to be somewhatv yieldingandflexible yet of sufficient strength and stiffness to be selfsupporting and to support frictional sheet members are positioned abovethe guiding plate 11 having end apertures for engagement with thesupporting posts 18 for holding them in position. Each strip aligningblade I9 has attached thereto in any convenient manner as by foldingthere around africtional strip engaging member 8!! preferably of somesheet material such as paper. This paper is of sufficient, weight andtoughness to perform its strip aligning function without tearing and tostand up under the wear incident to this use.

Each sheet member may be attached to its supporting blade as described,a line of stitching 8| being used to secure the attachment. While threeof these frictional strip aligning members 89 are shown, it will beunderstood that any number may be employed from one to a relativelylarge number dependent upon the number of record strips employed. I

Instead of utilizing the frictional aligners 89 of manila or similarpaper, carbon sheets C as shown in Fig. may be substituted for a similarpurpose so as to perform a similar function.-

These carbon sheets as shown may be attached to the supporting bars orblades I9 in a manner similar to the attachment of the sheets 89 to theblades 19. the supporting blades being similar in' both embodiments. Thecarbon sheets C are thus supported.- in trailing position between therecord strips and are positioned in writing position over the platen l9when the controlling carriage 39 is in its forward position. The carbonsheets C are preferably carbonized only on their undersurfaces, and whenmounted as described they perform an aligning and smoothing functionupon the record strips during rearward movement of the controllingcarriage 39 just as the sheet members 80 perform a similar function.

i now be understood from the foregoing disclosure by those skilled inthe art, and may be briefly summarized as follows: Any desired number ofrecord strips are loaded into the machine as shown' in Fig.1 with thefrictional sheet controlling members lying between adjacent recordstrips so as to frictionally engage the surfaces thereof. strips throughthe strip gripping clamping device 38 is facilitated by swinging theupper clamping bar 54 upwardly. When the strips are thus in position,the bar 54 is secured in its operative position as shown in Figs. 5 and6. When the strips are thus clamped, the forward parts thereof arepulled forwardly and the forward strip apertures are placed over theforward aligning pins 22, the pedal 28 being depressed during thisoperation so as to raise the forward clamping bar 25. This depression ofthe pedal will swing the gripper operating bar 68 but the grip will notbe released at thistime due to the fact that the operating bolt 66 ispositioned beyond the rearward end of the bar 68, the controllingcarriage being in its extreme rearward position when the pedal isdepreswd. Therefore, the strip clamping gripper is in operativecondition to grip the record strips rearwardly of the platen, for-Threading of the record 3.

carriage 39 forwardly against the tension of the spring 46. When thepins are in position in the strip apertures, the strips will thus betensioned against the pins by action of the carriage 39 and the tensionspring 46. The pedal 28 will then be released, permitting the forwardclamping bar to descend under control of the tension spring 30.

As the pedal is released, the crank arm 69 rises under the action ofspring H, the inclined upper inclined edge surface of operating bar 68.engaging the adjacent inclined face of operating bolt 66, thusretracting the latter against spring 61 until the operating bar assumesthe position shown in Fig. 6, the bolt 66 being then projected intoposition to underiy the edge of the bar 68. In this position, it will beobserved that the record strips, by the action of the controllingcarriage 39, are tensioned and smoothed over the writing platen and heldin correct position during the writing operation.

When the writing is completed upon the forward set of forms, the pedalis again depressed whereupon the operating bar 68 engages the bolt 66depressing the lower jaw SI of the strip gripper so as to release theclamping grip upon the strips. Immediately the controlling carriage 39being thus released is moved rearwardly relatively to the strips byaction of the motor spring 46. During this return movement of thecarriage, the strip clamp is held in released condition by the latch bar60 which then assumes the holding position shown in Fig. 4. This permitsthe carriage to move freely rearwardly without corresponding movement ofthe record strips.

Approximately at the moment the controlling carriage 39 reaches itsrearward position in which it is checked by the buffers 13, the lowerend of the latch bar 60 engages the trip lug 82, thus releasing thelatch bar from its holding positionwhereupon the gripper jaw 5l.ispermitted to move upwardly again into strip gripping position by actionof the springs 51. The record strips will thus be gripped and clamped ata new position thereof spaced to therearward of the preceding grippingposition a distance corresponding to the rearward travel of thecarriage.

During the rearward travel of the carriage just described, the smoothingand aligning functions of the blades 19 and of the frictional sheetaligners 80, or of the carbon slieets C and blades 19 (Fig. will beaccomplished. These aligning members at this time frictionally engagethe adjacent surfaces of the record strips smoothing the latter andexerting a rearward aligning pull thereon so as to align the recordstrips against the forward pins 22, the forward clamping bar 25 beingreleased at this time. It will be observed that this frictional aligningmechanism exerts 1 individual aligning action upon each of the recordstrips. Each strip is thus individually smoothed and aligned against theforward pins 22 and any slight longitudinal disalignment is thus veryeffectually corrected.

After the controlling carriage I! has accomplished its controllingaction during rearward movement thereof as described, the forwardinscribed forms of the record strips are disengaged from'theforward-pins and are pulled forwardly to engage the next successiveapertures with said pins. During this forward strip movement thecontrolling carriage 3! will again be moved forwardly in a mannersimilar to that above described. The distance of forward carriage travelwill thus be equal to the length of the successive form sheets of therecord strips; that is, it will be equal to the longitudinal distancebetween successive control apertures S. Also, it will be notedthatdifferent lengths of form sheets may be accommodated by theelongated clamp operating bar 68. Thus, the operating bar 68 isoperative to release the strip clamp throughout a wide amplitude oflongitudinal positioning of the control carriage 38. No individualadjustment of the mechanism is therefore required for the accommodationof record strips having different form lengths.

Thus, it will be observed that the improved controlling mechanism notonly tensions and holds the record strips in the best condition on theplaten for the reception of inscriptions, but it efiects individualalignment of the record strips, keeping them always in perfectlongitudinal alignment so that the blank forms of the superposed recordstrips are in perfect registry with each other.

Should the operator wish to release the gripper 38 temporarily for themanipulation or adjustment of the record strip forms without permittingthe controlling carriage 39 to move rearward- 1y under the influence ofthe motor spring 46, this may conveniently be done by providing theclamp operating bar 68 with teeth or serrations 68' at its edge forengagement with the operating bolt 68. The operating bolt, if desired,can likewise be provided upon its upper surface with serrationspreferably extending longitudinally of the bolt in position to engagewith the teeth 68' of the operating bar. By virtue of this arrangement.the gripper 38 can be released by depressing the pedal 28 only asuflicient distance to release the clamp but not far enough to cause thelatter to be locked in releasing position by operation of the latch bar30. During this operation, the serrations 68' will engage the bolt 66,thus preventing the motor spring 46 from moving the controlling carriagerearwardly. In other words, this serrated operating bar 63 under theconditions mentioned will function to restrain the carriage againstrearward movement. During such-temporary release of the gripper therecord strips may be moved by the operator to any desired positionrelatively to the gripper such, for example, as to correct theregistration of the forms or for other purposes. When the adjustmentshave been made. the pedal is allowed to return to its normal position,thus resetting the clamp whereupon the writing may be continued, thecontrolling carriage during all of this operation remaining in itsforward strip controlling position.

It will be observed that the record strips are also gripped at the rearside or edge of the writ- I ing platen I8 by means of the clampingdevice I! indicated diagrammatically in Figs. 1 and 8. Since thisclamping device is commonly employed on machines of this type, it neednot be described in detail herein, but it will-be understood that aclamp such as I! is ordinarily employed to engage and grip the recordstrips at both edges of the latter to the rearward of the inscriptionreceiving areas or forms. Also, it will be understood that the clamps I!will be released by depression of the pedal thr ugh the link 29 and anoperating connection 23' dicated diagrammatically in Fig. 8. Thisoperating connection functions to depress theplaten slightly so as torelease the grip of the clamps I9 upon depression of the pedal as willbe imderstood by those familiar with this art.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction anddifierent embodiments of the invention could be made without departingfrom'the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in theabove description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not'in a limiting sense.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is:

1. In a machine of the character described, in combination, means forrestraining forward parts of a recordstrip, a strip gripper engageablein clamping relation with rearward strip parts, means causing saidgripper to clamp said strip to move it forwardly by strip feed inopposition to the later mentioned yielding means, and means yieldinglyurging said strip gripper rearwardly when gripping the strip fortensioning and controlling the latter.

2. In a machine of the character described, in

combination, means for restraining forward parts of a record strip, astrip gripper engageable in clamping relation with rearward strip parts,a carriage supporting said gripper and being mounted for longitudinaloscillation substantially in the strip path, means whereby the carriageis moved forwardly and held in its forward position by the strip whenclamped by said gripper, and means yieldingly urging said strip gripperrearwardly when in strip gripping position and held in its forwardposition'by said record strip for tensioning and controlling the latter.

3. In a machine of the character described, in combination, means forrestraining forward parts of arecord strip, a strip gripper engageablein clamping relation with rearward strip parts, a

carriage supporting said gripper and being mounted for longitudinaloscillationsubstantially in the strip path, means whereby the carriageis moved forwardly and held in its forward position by the strip whenclamped by said gripper, means yieldingly urging said strip gripperrearwardly when held in its forward position by said record strip fortensioning and controlling the latter, and operating" mechanism forreleasing said strip gripper from strip clamping position when saidcarriage is in its forwardly held povvsition whereby the carriage maymove rearwardly into a new strip clamping position under the influenceof said yielding means.

4. In a machine of the character described, in combination, means forrestraining forward parts of a record strip, a strip gripper engageablein clamping relation with rearward strip parts, a carriage supportingsaid gripper' and being mounted for longitudinal oscillationsubstantially in the strip path and being movable forwardly with thestrip when clamped by said gripper, means yieldingly urging said stripgripper reare wardly when in strip gripping position and held in itsforward position by said record strip for tensioning and controlling thelatter, operating mechanism for releasing said strip gripper from stripclamping position when said carriage is in a forward position wherebythe carriage may move rearwardly into a'new' strip clamping positionunder the influence of said yielding means, and

' means for maintaining said strip gripper in reparts of a record strip,a strip gripper engageable in clamping relation with rearward stripparts, a carriage supporting said gripper andbeing mounted forlongitudinal oscillation substantially in the strip path and beingmovable forwardly with the strip when clamped by said gripper, meansyieldingly urging said strip gripper rearwardly when gripping saidrecord strip for tensioning and controlling the latter, operatingmechanism for releasing said strip gripper from strip clamping positionwhen said carriage is in a forward position whereby the carriage maymove rearwardly into a new strip clamping position under the influenceof said yielding means, means for main-- taining said strip gripper inreleased conditionduring rearward return movement of said carriage, andautomatic means for resetting said gripper in strip clamping conditionwhen it reaches its new clamping position.

6. In a machine of the character .described, in combination, means forrestraining forward parts of a plurality of relatively superposed recordstrips, a strip gripper engageable in clamping relation with rearwardparts of said strips, a carriage supporting said gripper and beingmounted for longitudinal oscillation substantially in the record strippath and being movable forwardly with the record strips when clamped bysaid gripper, means yieldingly urging said strip gripper rearwardly whenin strip gripping position and held in its forward position by thestrips for tensioning and controlling the latter, and a frictional stripcontrolling device supported by said carriage and frictionally engagingthe record strips during rearward carriage movement for smoothing andpositioning said record I strips. I

7. In a machine of the character described, in combination, means forrestraining forward parts of a plurality of relatively superposed recordstrips, a stripgripper engageable in'clamping relationwith rearwardparts of said strips, a carriage supporting said gripper and beingmounted for longitudinal oscillation substantially in the record strippath and being movable forwardly with the record strips when clamped bysaid gripper, means yieldingly urging said strip gripper rearwardly whengripping the strips for tensioning and controlling the latter, and arecord strip controlling sheet member mounted on said carriage andextending between adjacent record strips, frictionally engaging thelatter during rearward carriage movement for individually smoothing andpositioning said strips.

8. In a machine of the character described, in combination, means forrestraining forward parts of a plurality of relatively superposed recordstrips, a strip gripper engageable in clamping relation with rearwardparts of said strips, a carriage supporting said gripper and beingmounted for longitudinal oscillation substantially in the record strippath and being movable forwardly with the record strips when clamped bysaid gripper, means yieldingly urging said strip gripper rearwardly whenin strip gripping position and held in its forward position by thestrips for tensioning and controlling the latter, a frictional stripcontrolling device supported by said carriage and frictionally engagingthe record strips during rearward carriage movement for smoothing andpositioning said record strips, and operating mechanism for releasingsaid strip gripper from strip clamping position when said i carriage isin a forward positionfwhereby the carriage may move rearwardly into anew strip clamping position under the influence of said yielding means,at the same time effecting strip positioning by said frictional stripcontrolling device.

9. In a machine of the character described, in combination, means forrestraining forward parts of a plurality of relatively superposed recordstrips, a strip gripper engageable in clamping relation with rearwardparts of said strips, a carriage supporting said gripper and beingmounted for longitudinal oscillation substantially in the record strippath and being movable forwardly with the record strips when clamped bysaid gripper, means yieldingly urging said' strip gripper rearwardlywhen gripping the strips frictional strip controlling device supportedby said carriage and frictionally engaging the record strips duringrearward carriage movement for smoothing and positioning said recordstrips, said strip controlling device including a transfer sheetsupported by said carriage in trailing position between adjacent recordstrips so as to be disposed in operative transfer position when saidcarriage and gripper are in forward position.

10. In a machine of the character-described, in combination, means forrestraining forward parts of a record strip, a strip gripper engageablein clamping relation with the rearward strip parts, a carriagesupporting said gripper and being mounted for longitudinal oscillationsubstantially in the strip path and being movable forwardly with thestrip when clamped by said gripper, means yieldingly urging said stripgripper rearwardly when in strip gripping position and held in itsforward position by said record strip for tensioning and controlling thelatter, and operating mechanism for releasing said strip gripper fromstrip clamping position when said carriage is in a forward positionwhereby the carriage may move rearwardly into a new strip clampingposition under the influence of said yielding means, said releasingmechanism including a longitudinally disposed elongated operating barpositioned for releasing cooperation with said strip gripper indiiferent longitudinal positions of the latter.

11. In a machine of the character described, in combination, means forrestraining forward parts of a record str p, a strip gripper engageablein clamping relation with rearward strip parts, a carriage supportingsaid gripper and being mounted for longitudinal oscillationsubstantially in the strip path and being movable forwardly with thestrip when clamped by said gripper, means yieldingly urging said stripgripper rearwardly when gripping said record strip for tensioning andcontrolling the latter, operating mechanism for releasing said stripgripper from strip clamping position when said carriage is held by thestrip in a forward position whereby the carriage may move rearwardlyinto a new strip clamping position under the influence of said yieldingmeans, and means whereby said releasing mechanism may cooperate torelease said strip gripper in different carriage positions substantiallythroughout the length of longitudinal travel of said carriage.

12.- In a machine of the character described, in combination, a writingplaten for record strips, strip restraining means positioned relativelyfor wardly of said platen, strip restraining means positioned relativelyrearwardly of said platen and engaging said strips so as to be movedforwardly and held in forward position thereby, a carriage strip path,means yieldingly urging said rearward restraining means reversely ofstrip feed so as to tension and smooth the record strips over the platenand to return the carriage rearwardly, and releasing mechanism for saidrearward restraining means including an elongated, rotatably mountedreleasing bar having its longitudinal axis extending substantiallyparallel to the path of movement of said rearward restraining means andpositioned for cooperation with the latter in different longitudinalpositions thereof so as to terminate strip restraint thereby indifferent longitudinal positions for the accommodation of record stripshaving diiferent form lengths.

13. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a writingplaten for record strips, strip restraining means positioned relativelyforwardly of said platen, strip restraining means positioned relativelyrearwardly of said platen and engaging said strips so as to be movedforwardly and held in forward position thereby, a carriage mounting saidrearward'restraining means for reciprocating movement longitudinally ofthe strip path, means yieldingly urging said rearward restraining meansreversely of strip feed so as to tension and smooth the record stripsover the platen and to return the carriage rearwardly, and releasingmechanism for said rearward restraining means including an elongatedreleasing bar having its operative edge extending along andsubstantially parallel to the path of movement of said carriage, saidreleasing bar being positioned for cooperation with said rearwardrestraining means to terminate strip restraint thereby in differentlongitudinal positions thereof.

14. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a writingplaten for record strips, strip restraining means positioned relativelyforwardly of said platen, strip restraining means positioned relativelyrearwardly of said platen and engaging said strips so as to be movedforwardly and held in forward position thereby, a carriage 'mountingsaid rearward restraining means for -means actuated by rearward carriagemovement for resetting said rearward restraining means in striprestraining condition.

15. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a writingplaten for record strips, strip restraining means positioned relativelyforwardly of said platen, strip restraining means positioned relativelyrearwardly of said platen and engaging said strips so as to be movedforwardly and held in forward position thereby, a carriage mounting saidrearwardly restraining means for reciprocating movement longitudinallyof the strip path, means yieldingly urging said rearward restrainingmeans reversely of strip feed so as to tension and smooth the recordstrips over the platen and to return the carriage rearwardly, releasingmechanism for said rearward restraining means positioned for cooperationtherewith in different longitudinal positions so as to terminate striprestrain thereby in diflerent longitudinal positions for theaccommodation-of record strips maintaining said rearward restrainingmeans in released condition during carriage return movement.

16. In a machine of the character described, in

combination, a writing platen for record strips,

strip restraining means positioned relatively forwardly of said platen,strip restraining means positioned relatively rearwardly of said platenand engaging said strips so as to be moved forwardly thereby, a carriagemounting said rearward restraining means for reciprocating movementlongitudinally of the strip path, means yieldingly urging said rearwardrestraining means reversely of strip feed so as to tension and smooththe record strips over the platen and to return the carriage rearwardly,releasing mechanism for said rearward restraining means positioned forcooperation therewith in different longitudinal positions so as toterminate strip restraint thereby in different longitudinal positionsfor the accommodation of record strips having different form lengths,means for maintaining said rearward restraining means in releasedcondition during carriage return movement, and automatic means actuatedby rearward carriage movement for resetting said rearward restrainingmeans in strip restraining condition.

17. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a writingplaten for relatively superposed traveler record strips havingcontrolling apertures, strip restraining means positioned relativelyforwardly of said platen and including strip aperture engaging pins,strip restrain-- ing means positioned relatively rearwardly of saidplaten and engaging said strips so as to be moved forwardly thereby, acarriage mounting said rearward restraining means for reciprocatingmovement longitudinally of the strip path, means yieldingly urging saidrearward restraining means reversely of strip feed so as to return thecarriage rearwardly and to smooth and tension the record strips on saidplaten when said forward pins are in the strip apertures, and africtional strip controlling member mounted on said carriage andextending between adjacent record strips in frictional engagement withthe latter so as to individually align the strips against said pinsduring rearward carriage movement.

18.In a machine of the character described, in combination, a writingplaten for relatively superposed traveler record strips havingcontrolling apertures, strip restraining means positioned relativelyforwardly of said platen and including strip aperture engaging pins,strip restraining means positioned relatively rearwardly of said platenand engaging said strips so as to be moved forwardly thereby, a carriagemounting said rearward restraining means for reciproautomatically underthe influence of said yielding means.

19. In a machine of the character described,

having different form lengths, and means for in combination, a writingplaten for relatively superposed traveler record strips havingcontrolling apertures, strip restraining means positioned relativelyforwardly of said platen and including strip aperture engaging pins,strip restraining means positioned relatively rearwardly of said platenand engaging said strips so as to be moved forwardly thereby, a carriagemounting said rearward restraining means for reciprocating movementlongitudinally of the strip path, means yieldingly urging said rearwardrestraining means reversely of strip feed so as to return the carriagerearwardly and to smooth and tension the record strips on said platenwhen said forward pins are inthe strip apertures, a frictional stripcontrolling member mounted on said carriage and extending betweenadjacent record strips in frictional engagement with the latter so as toindividually align the strips against said pins duringrearward carriagemovement, means for releasing said rearward restraining means wherebythe latter may return rearwardly automatically under the influence ofsaid yielding means, andautomatic means actuated by rearward carriagemovement for resetting said rearward restraining means in striprestraining condition.

20. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a writingplaten for relatively superposed traveler record strips havingcontrolling apertures,-strip restraining means positioned relativelyforwardly of said platen and including strip aperture engaging pins,strip restraining means positioned relatively rearwardly of said platenand engaging said strips so as to be moved forwardly thereby, saidrearward restraining means including a strip gripping clamping device, acarriage mounting said rearward restraining means for reciprocatingmovement longitudinally of the strip path, means yieldingly urging saidrearward restraining means reversely of strip feed so as to return thecarriage rearwardly and to smooth and tension the record strips on saidplaten when said forward pins are in the strip apertures, and africtional strip controlling member mounted on said carriage andextending between adjacent record strips in frictional engagement withthe latter so as to individually align the strips against said pinsduring rearward carriage movement.

21. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a writingplatenfor relatively superposed traveler record strips havingcontrolling apertures, strip restraining means positioned relativelyforwardly of said platen and including strip aperture engaging pins,strip as to be moved forwardly thereby, said rearward restraining meansincluding a strip gripping clamping device, having a movably mountedspring pressed gripping jaw: and a releasable clamping jaw positioned inthe strip path, a carriage mounting said clamping device forreciprocating movement longitudinally of the strip path, and meansyieldingly urging said carriage reversely of strip feed so as to tensionand smooth the record strips on the platen when said forward pins are inthe strip apertures and to return th carriage toits rearward position.

22. In a machine of the character describedin combination, a writingplaten for relatively superposed traveler record strips havingcontrolling apertures, strip restraining means positioned relativelyforwardly of said platen and including strip aperture engaging pins,strip restraining means positioned relatively forwardly of said platenand engaging said strips so as to be moved 'forwardly thereby, said"rearward restraining means including a strip gripping clamping devicehaving a movably mounted spring pressed gripping jaw and a releasableclamping jaw positioned in the strip path, a carriage mounting saidclamping device for reciprocating movement longitudinally of the strippath, means yieldingly urging said carriage reversely of strip feed soas to tension and smooth the record strips on the platen when saidforward'pins are in the strip apertures and to return the carriage toits rearward position, and a frictional strip controlling member mountedon said carriage and extending between adjacent record strips infrictional engagement therewith so as to individually align the stripsagainst said pins during rearward car? riage movement.

23. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a writingplaten for relatively superposed traveler record strips havingcontrolling apertures, strip restraining means positioned relativelyforwardly of said platen and including strip aperture engaging pins,strip restraining means positioned relatively rearwardly of said platenand engaging said strips so as to be moved forwardly thereby, saidrearward restraining means including a strip gripping clamping devicehaving a movably mounted spring pressed gripping jaw and a releasableclamping jaw positioned in the strip path, a carriage mounting saidclamping device for reciprocating movement longitudinally of the strippath, means yieldingly urging said carriage reversely of strip feed soas to tension and smooth the record strips on p the platen when saidforward pins are in the strip apertures and to return the carriage toits rearward position, means for releasing said clamping device wherebysaid carriage may return rearwardly automatically under the influence ofsaid yielding means, and automatic means actuated by rearward carriagemovement for resetting said clamping device.

24. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a writingplaten for relatively superposed traveler record strips havingcontrolling apertures, strip restraining means positioned relativelyforwardly of said platen and including strip aperture engaging pins,strip restraining means positioned relatively forwardly of said platenand engaging said strips so as to be moved forwardly thereby, saidrearward restraining means including a strip gripping clamping devicehaving a movably mounted spring pressed gripping jaw and a releasableclamping jaw positioned in the strip path, a carriage mounting saidclamping device for reciprocating movement longitudinally of the strippath, means yieldingly urging said carriage reversely of strip feed soas to tension and smooth the record strips on the platen when saidiorward pins are in the strip apertures and to return the carriage toits rearward position, a frictional strip controlling member mounted onsaid carriage and extending between adjacent record strips in frictionalengagement therewith so a to individually align the strips against saidpins during rearward carriage movement, means for releasing said clamp--ing device whereby said carriage may return rearwardly automaticallyunder the influence of said yielding means, and automatic means actuatedby rearward carriage movement for resetting said clamping device.

25. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a writingplaten for relatively superposed traveler record strips havingcontrolling apertures, strip restraining means positionedrelativelyforwardly of said platen and including strip aperture engaging pins,strip restraining means positioned relatively rearwardly of said platenand engaging said strips so as to be moved forwardly thereby, saidrearward restraining means including a strip gripping clamping device, acarriage mounting said rearward restraining means for reciprocatingmovement longitudinally of the strip path, means yieldingly urging saidrearward restraining means reversely of strip feed so as to return thecarriage rearwardly and to smooth and tension the record strips on saidplaten when said forward pins are in the strip apertures, a frictionalstrip controlling member mounted on said carriage and extending betweenadjacent record strips in frictional engagement with the latter so as toindividually align the strips against said pins during rearward carriagemovement, means for releasing said clamping device whereby the lattermay return rearwardly under the influence of said yielding means, meansfor maintaining said clamping device in released condition duringrearward carriage return movement, and automatic means actuated byrearward carriage movement for resetting said clamping device.

26. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a writingplaten for relatively superposed traveler record strips, striprestraining means positioned relatively forwardly of said platen, striprestraining means positioned relatively rearwardly of said platen andincluding a longitudinally reciprocable strip gripping clamping deviceadapted to grip the strips so as to be moved forwardly by the latterinto normal operating position, and means yieldingly urging saidclamping device rearwardly from its said operating position so as totension and smooth the strips on said platen. I

27. In a machine of the character described,

in combination, a writing platen for relatively superposed travelerrecord strips having conrtrolling apertures, strip restraining meanspositioned relatively forwardly of said platen and includingstripaperture engaging pins, strip restraining means positionedrelatively rearwardly of said platen and including a longitudinallyreciprocable strip gripping clamping device adapted to grip the stripsso as to be moved forwardly by the latter into normal operatingposition, means yieldingly urging said clamping device rearwardly fromits said operating position so as to tension and smooth the strips onsaid platen, and a strip controlling member'mounted for movement withsaid strip clamping device and extending between adjacent record stripsin frictional engagement therewith so as to individually align thestrips against said pins.

28. In a machine of the character described, in combination, means forrestraining one or a plurality of record strips, strip engaging meansspaced longitudinally of the strip path from said restraining means,yielding means yieldingly resisting movement of said strip engagingmeans toward said restraining means, said strip engaging means beingmounted for reciprocating movement longitudinally of the strip path andheld in its moved position against said yielding means by the strips soas to tension the latter, and a frictional strip controlling thin sheetmember mounted for reciprocating movement with said strip engaging meansand positioned between adjacent record strips and in strip-controllingfrictional engagement with the surfaces thereof.

29. In a machine of the character described, in combination, means forrestraining one or a plurality of record strips, strip engaging meansspaced longitudinally of the strip path from said restraining means,yielding means yieldingly resisting movement of said strip engagingmeans toward said restraining means, said strip engaging means beingmounted for reciprocating movement. longitudinally of the strip path andheld in its moved position against said yielding means by the strips soas to tension the latter. and a pliable fabric friction sheet mountedfor reciprocating movement with said strip engaging means and positionedin frictional engagement with the record strip for control thereof.

CARL ROBERT MABON. 1o

